1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50 Dual Cowl Tourer

Lot details
Registration No: SV 4966
Chassis No: 62 EU
Mot Expiry: June 2013

The model upon which Rolls-Royce's reputation as makers of 'The Best Car in the World' was founded, the 40/50hp debuted at the November 1906 London Motor Show. A somewhat conventional yet beautifully executed design, the newcomer was based around a massive ladder-frame chassis equipped with all-round leaf-sprung suspension, powerful rear wheel brakes and spiral-bevel final drive. Displacing 7036cc (7428cc from 1910), its superlatively smooth six-cylinder engine featured a seven-bearing crankshaft, full pressure lubrication and twelve sparkplugs (fed via a dual magneto / coil ignition system). Allied to four-speed manual transmission (though, a three-speed gearbox was utilised from 1909 to 1913), the sidevalve unit proved both wonderfully torquey and eerily quiet.

With a shrewd eye for publicity, Managing Director Claude Johnson had the company demonstrator 'AX 201' (the first 40/50hp to be known as a Silver Ghost on account of its striking livery and silver-plated fittings) take part in both the 1907 Scottish Reliability Trial and an RAC scrutinised 15,000 mile endurance run immediately afterwards. Though made to journey between London and Glasgow no less than 27 times as part of the latter ordeal, a thorough post-event examination revealed that the car had suffered no appreciable wear to its engine, gearbox, rear axle or brakes. Indeed, the only parts that factory mechanics felt compelled to change were: a steering rod tie pin, steering lever ball tip, magneto driving joint, fan belt, petrol strainer and two front wheel pivot pins. Though, as the RAC report on the World Record breaking run stated: "Had the car been in the hands of a private owner no replacements would have been considered necessary". Possessing a legendary eye for detail, Henry Royce continued to develop the 40/50hp throughout its 18-year production life. Thus, late Silver Ghosts boasted considerably more horsepower (up from 48bhp at 1,250rpm to 80bhp at 2,250rpm) and higher top speeds (some lightweight bodied cars were timed at over 80mph) than their earlier brethren. Optional from late 1923 onwards, servo-assisted four-wheel drum brakes became standard the following year.

This splendid-looking Ghost hails from 1925 and, according to factory records, was delivered new with coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly to Captain George Clark of St Andrews, Scotland. Within four years it had passed to a Captain Richie who took it to Kenya where he served as a chief game warden until the end of WWII. By 1947 the Rolls-Royce was in the care of a rancher, Captain Harries, in whose family it remained until 1968 before being sold to Kenyan rally driver J Jeeves. It was he who apparently undertook a major restoration of the Ghost, which included having the engine overhauled by a Rolls-Royce specialist and commissioning a new body from skilled Nairobi-based coachbuilder Cassini & Tonolo. This was reputedly one of five Ghosts they rejuvenated using aluminium panelling over a metal frame in deference to the Kenyan climate. The handsome Dual Cowl design is in the style of Barker.

Migrating to Rhodesia in 1971 and then to South Africa some eight years later, the car was subsequently placed into storage. Recommissioned especially for the 1993 Commemorative Alpine Trial, it reportedly completed the event with aplomb and minimum use of engine oil. Finished in White over Black complemented by a Black interior it is described by the vendor as having "very good" bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, engine and gearbox. The Dual Cowl Tourer's impressive specification includes: scuttle mounted side lamps, two-piece windscreen with side deflectors, a distinctive Auster-type rear screen, twin side-mounted spare wheels, Spirit of Ecstasy mascot and badge bar, plus it has just benefited from a service by marque specialist Alan Glew. A magnificent motorcar that would grace any collection.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until June 2013.